Technology news and Jobs 
Information Technology News Australian Government loses copyright plot
Information Technology News Australian Government loses copyright plot | Australian Government loses copyright plot |
|
| by Stan Beer | |
| Monday, 15 May 2006 | |
|
There have been times in history when governments have made laws that seem they like they were part of a script from a Marx Brothers movie. However, in its latest effort to police digital copyright, the Q&A session from the Australian Government puts even the more memorable dialogues between Groucho and Chico to shame. In an effort to make current copyright laws more relevant to the times, the Australian Government appears to have done exactly the opposite. For instance, it is now legal to copy TV shows to a VCR or DVD. However, you are only allowed to watch the copy once then you must delete it. What's more you can't lend the copy to your friend, sibling or parent.You are now allowed to copy your CD to another music format, such as iPod, MP3 player, or computer. You can also copy downloaded music to a CD and so on. However, you can't make a back-up copy of your CD. If it gets damaged, that's your tough luck. What's more, don't ask your mom or brother to copy your CD for you because they don't own it so that's illegal. Now just in case you thought it couldn't get any weirder than that, the Australian Government has made a special law just for DVDs. Unlike music, owners of DVDs will not be allowed to copy movies to a portable player. Exactly why this should be the case is anyone's guess. One can imagine the line from Flying High: “Don’t do that – that’s just what they’re expecting us to do.” For a full viewing the Australian Government's very own Marx Brothers comedy script, visit the Attorney General Philip Ruddock's site. {moscomment}
Get stories like this delivered daily - FREE - subscribe now
|
Tags
| < Next story in category | Previous story in the category > |
|---|
